How far? How Satmar?

In Hasidic Custody revealed for me a shocking reality I was not aware about. It tells the story of a Yemenite couple, brought to New York from Yemen by the Satmar and kept almost prisoners by the group. According to the image transmitted by the movie, they were manipulated and forced to assimilate  to the rules of Satmar and prevented to go to Israel. 

The most unpleasant moment for me was when I'd heard a Satmar refering to Israel with the words usually reserved for criminals. Not that I did not know about this, but I can hardly stand this hate. What I do not understand always is the fascination and spiritual power of this Hasidic group. More to think about this in the coming months.

Former Skinhead, currently Hasid

This is a story that in general made me think a lot: A former Polish skinhead, "against everything", is turning into observant Jew after discovering his Jewish identity. Years ago, he was showing off his negationism at Auschwitz. Now, he is speaker at Chabad conferences. 

I wanted to wait more than two hours after reading the article, as it made me think about stories I encountered in my life, about people who made the change and some that did not. The road is difficult and the journey is long. But, hopefully you will hardly recognize your old self. 

We have all the chance to return. To read the messages sent to us in various ways. Or simply not to read and think about any hidden sense, just to follow what we feel that is our way. It is not easy, the separation from the past may be painful and the main reason why many prefer to stay hidden than to start anew. If you want to return, nothing and no one will really stop to do it, except yetzer hara

What I know for sure is that we are always offered more than one choice. You do not know always how and why and for how long, but in my case, I am more than happy with my current road. 

Hasidic Jews on Oprah's

Hasidic Women from Brooklyn are talking about their experiences and daily life.  After so many media reports portraying the Hasidic life very close to the stone age, this is a welcomed image improvement. Any effort to explain better who you are is good as we have so many things that we can share with the world. It is part of what we are and what makes us proud of who we are.

Looking for the lost tribes

It is time for starting the spiritual preparation for Shabbes, after another difficult week which showed how powerful our tormentors can be.
I am fascinated by the histories of various Jewish groups sparsed from all over the world and I had the pleasure to read and watched two interesting documentaries:
- one about the lost Jewish cemetery in Karachi, Pakistan
- and another about the Jewish identity in Burma (Myanmar)
Indeed, you can find us in the four corners of the world, but maybe it is about time to return home, one by one...

It is any difference between Belief and Love for the Jewish State?

Rabbi Kook's followers are still debating his legacy - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Who are the Jews from Mexico

A good reminder of the traces of our history. Driven far away from our land, leaving refuge after refuge in the quest for the way to return home. This time, it is about the Jews from Mexico, who, as I saw recently, are starting to return to Israel, together with the other Jewish communities from Latin America.

We are ready to go back home.